With a bright orange bills and wingspans of 8-10 feet, it seems unlikely that pelicans would make a habit of disappearing.
Yet their white plumage allows them to blend in with a bright morning sky, and their ability to soar without flapping their wings allows them to escape our eyesight more easily.
Pam Perry, retired non-game wildlife biologist, finds the sight of these huge birds fading into the sky absolutely captivating. As May moves along toward June, flocks of pelicans are moving through Minnesota to their three breeding islands in the state and to their breeding grounds beyond.
Learn about pelicans - and much, much more! Click "listen" above to hear the full conversation.
Area birding opportunities
The Forest History Center in Grand Rapids hosts Warbler Walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays through May 30 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Northland Arboretum in Brainerd hosts Guided Bird Hikes Wednesdays and Saturdays in May at 8 a.m. (You may just meet Pam Perry!)
The Sax-Zim Bog in Meadowlands hosts Warbler Wednesdays through May 27 from 6 a.m. to noon. They also host Songbird Saturdays through May 23 from 6 a.m. to noon. On Sunday June 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. they offer A Closer Look Series: Warblers.
Minnesota State Parks also offer birding throughout the state including Itasca State Park on May 23 and more. Find checklists on the the Birds of Minnesota State Parks here.
What birds are you seeing? Leave us a Speak Pipe voice message!
For more phenology, subscribe to our Season Watch Newsletter or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
